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STEM SPOTLIGHT

STEM SPOTLIGHT
STEMSPOTLIGHT

STEM SPOTLIGHT 9/13/26 STEM SPOTLIGHT 9/13/26

💙💛 THANK YOU, STEM FAMILIES — $78,000!

We did it, Spartans! Thanks to the incredible support of our STEM community, we raised more than $78,000 for the Accelerator Fund! 🎉

Every donation, share, registration, volunteer, and cheer helped make this year’s fundraiser an incredible success. Thank you for showing up for our students and our school!


If you missed Ms. Kovalesky’s thank-you message to our STEM families, click the link below to read it!

THANK YOU FROM MS. KOVALESKY

STEM HIGH SCHOOL RELOCATION: STATE BOARD DECISION

On Thursday, September 10, members of our KOSON team attended an appeal hearing with the Colorado State Board of Education regarding the proposed relocation of STEM High School.

Following the hearing and the State Board’s decision, CEO Matt Cartier sent an update to STEM families on Friday evening with additional information and next steps.

In case you missed it, click below to read Mr. Cartier's message.

MR. CARTIER'S MESSAGE

ACADEMIC CALENDAR SURVEY CLOSES TONIGHT!

We’d love to hear from you! Our 2027–28 Academic Calendar Survey closes at 11:59 p.m. this evening. Please take a few minutes to carefully review the calendar options and select the option you believe would work best for your family.

Please note: The survey is limited to one entry per person and will require you to log in before submitting your response.

Some families have reported experiencing issues when attempting to log in on a mobile device. Our IT Department is aware of the issue and has been working to identify a solution. In the meantime, families who have experienced the survey freezing on a mobile device have had success accessing it from a desktop or laptop computer instead.

We appreciate your patience and, most importantly, we’d love your feedback! Your input is an important part of this process and will help us better understand the priorities and needs of our STEM community.

Don’t forget—the survey closes tonight at 11:59 p.m.!

2027-28 ACADEMIC CALENDAR SURVEY

IMPORTANT OCTOBER TESTING INFORMATION- GRADES 6-12

Important information regarding upcoming testing for students in grades 6–12, including schedule adjustments and late-start information, was sent to Secondary families on Friday.

If you missed the communication, please take a few minutes to review the important message from our Testing Coordinator linked below so your family is prepared for the upcoming testing days.

IMPORTANT OCTOBER TESTING INFORMATION
STEM Enrichment and Athletics Banner
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ENRICHMENT AND ATHLETICS UPDATES ENRICHMENT AND ATHLETICS UPDATES

ATHLETICS UPDATES

Please click the link below to read full updates from STEM's athletic director, Mr Barrios.
MR. BARRIOS MESSAGE

MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL ATHLETIC REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Fall Athletics registration is officially open! With practices starting soon, now is the time to get your Spartan registered and ready for the upcoming season.

All student-athletes must complete their athletics registration and submit the required CHSAA form before participating.

Don't wait until the first practice! Use the button below to register today and make sure all required paperwork is turned in.

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE!
womans hands working on keyboard and notebook
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IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

9/16: KOSON/STEM Board Meeting | NHS Inductions
9/17: K-5 | Elementary Only | No School
9/18: K-12 | No School
9/21: Elementary Playground Ribbon Cutting
9/21-9/25: Homecoming Week
9/23: Homecoming Bonfire
9/24: Homecoming Powderpuff Game
9/26: HS Homecoming Dance
10/1: 8th-12 Grade | Career Discovery Day | PTC Meeting
10/3: Grades 9-12 | Stellr Space Design Challenge | MS Student Government Dance
10/5-10/9: Elementary Conferences
10/6: STEM Innovation Invitational | Elementary Make-Up Picture day
10/7: Secondary Late Start | MS/ HS Parent Teacher Conferences | Last Names A-K
10/8: MS/ HS Parent Teacher Conferences | Last Names L-Z
10/9: K-12 Early Release
10/13-10/16: Fall Break

IMPORTANT LINKS IMPORTANT LINKS

PARENTS PAGE
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS CALENDAR
young student using tablet to control robot
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ELEMENTARY NEWSLETTER ELEMENTARY NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM MS. MANZANARES

Please click the button below to read full updates from Ms. Manzanares, Elementary Principal.

MS. MANZANARES MESSAGE

💙💛 ELEMENTARY HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK!

Get ready, Elementary Spartans! Homecoming Spirit Week is coming September 21–25!

We’re sharing our Spirit Days early so families have plenty of time to plan those outfits and get ready to show some serious Spartan spirit!

Check out the full list of Spirit Days below and get ready for a fun week of celebrating our school community!

Let’s see that STEM spirit, Spartans!

Graphic promoting Elementary Homecoming Spirit Week, September 21–25. Monday, Sept. 21: Twin Day—wear your best outfit with your best friend. Tuesday, Sept. 22: PJ Day—wear your best comfy jammies. Wednesday, Sept. 23: Neon Fiesta Day—wear your best neon colors to brighten the day. Thursday, Sept. 24: Stuffy Day—spend the day with your stuffed animal friend. Friday, Sept. 25: Cowboys & Dolly Day—wear your best western outfit. Graphic features STEM’s blue and gold colors, Spartan imagery, and the tagline “Small Spartans, Big Possibilities.”
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Photo of STEM’s new elementary playground under construction. Blue and orange playground equipment, including climbing structures and multiple slides, has been installed in the courtyard outside the school building. The surrounding play surface and finishing work are still in progress.
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PLAYGROUND PARTY-SAVE THE DATE

Our new Elementary Playground is almost ready, and it’s time to celebrate! Join us for a Playground Ribbon Cutting Party on Monday, September 21 from 5–7 p.m.

Playground Update: We’re getting closer! This week, the new shade structure went up, and some of the final pieces of our large playground equipment were installed. Even more exciting—the permitting for the turf has officially been approved, and turf installation is expected to begin next week! The final touches are coming together, and we can’t wait to see our Elementary Spartans enjoying their new space!

Bring the whole family to check out and play on our newly updated playground! Bring dinner and enjoy a picnic together, or purchase supper from the STEM family owned food truck joining us for the evening. Come play, eat, and help us officially open this exciting new space for our Elementary Spartans! 💙💛

ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

We know our STEM parents and families want to be involved, and we love having you on campus! Our Elementary School currently has several volunteer opportunities open and ready for families to sign up.

Lunchroom Volunteers: Help our students during lunch by opening drinks and packages, assisting with cleanup, helping keep the lunchroom running smoothly, and lending an extra hand where needed.

Driveline Volunteers: Help our staff safely welcome students from their vehicles to the building in the morning or help students get from the building to their vehicles during afternoon dismissal.

Whether you can volunteer once or become a familiar face around campus, we’d love to have you join us! Use the button below to view available opportunities and sign up.

student building a model house
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SECONDARY NEWSLETTER SECONDARY NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM MR. ALSUP

Please click the button below to read full updates from Mr. Alsup, High School Principal.

MR. ALSUP MESSAGE

💙💛 HOMECOMING WEEK IS ALMOST HERE! 💙💛

Homecoming Week is right around the corner, and our Student Government has been working hard to create an exciting week of activities to celebrate STEM school spirit!

Mark your calendars and come out to support our Spartans throughout the week!

🏐 Wednesday, September 23
4:30 p.m. | JV Girls Home Volleyball Game
5:30 p.m. | Varsity Girls Home Volleyball Game
7–9 p.m. | Homecoming Bonfire | STEM School Highlands Ranch
The bonfire is subject to change if the Fire Department determines we are under a fire ban.

Thursday, September 24
4:30–6 p.m. | Powderpuff Game | Marcy Park

Saturday, September 26
7–10 p.m. | Homecoming Dance

🎟️ Don’t wait—buy your Homecoming Dance tickets today using the link below!Get ready to show your Spartan spirit and celebrate Homecoming Week! 💙💛

HOMECOMING TICKETS
Flyer for the 2027 Colorado Space Design Challenge at STEM School Highlands Ranch. The event takes place Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and costs $75, all inclusive. Students will work as real-world engineers for the day, responding to an RFP to design a permanent Martian habitat through collaboration, problem-solving, and design studies. Participants will explore career pathways, receive mentorship from aerospace and technology professionals, and receive a 12-month Stellr Community membership. The flyer includes photos of students collaborating on engineering projects, a QR code to register, and the Stellr Education website.
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STELLR SPACE DESIGN CHALLENGE | GRADES 7-12

Calling all high school students interested in engineering, aerospace, technology, design, and problem-solving! STEM School Highlands Ranch will host the 2027 Colorado Space Design Challenge on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Students will step into the role of real-world engineers for the day, working collaboratively to respond to an RFP for a permanent Martian habitat. Participants will tackle design challenges, problem-solve as a team, and receive mentorship from professionals from major aerospace and technology companies.

Event Details:
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 8-5 p.m.
STEM School Highlands Ranch
$75 – all inclusive

Open to students in Grades 7–12

Registration also includes a 12-month Stellr Community membership and event T-shirt.

Interested students and families can use the registration information in the flyer below to learn more and sign up!

REGISTER HERE!

2026–27 YEARBOOK: IMPORTANT DATES & INFORMATION

We're excited to start work on this year's yearbook and wanted to share a few important dates and details.

Senior Pictures
Senior pictures are due October 31st. Image requirements have been emailed to your student, please make sure they follow those specifications.

Preferred Name Changes
If you'd like your student's name changed for the yearbook, please email yearbook@stemk12.org. Requests must:

  • Come directly from the parent/guardian
  • Include the student's name as it appears in Infinite Campus
  • Include the preferred name you'd like used instead

Order Your Yearbook
Yearbooks are available now for $55 (back-to-school pricing) through September 25th. Prices increase after that date, so order early to save.
Order here

Senior Ads
Senior ads are due by November 9th and can be purchased here:
Order a senior ad

Please reach out to yearbook@stemk12.org with any questions. We can't wait to capture another great year!

SCHOOL HOURS SCHOOL HOURS

BELL SCHEDULE

Secondary School (6-12): 8 AM - 3:30 PM

Elementary School (K-1): 8:10 AM - 3 PM

Elementary School (2-5): 8:10 AM - 3:10 PM


AFTER-CARE HOURS

B.A.S.E. (K-5) 6:30 AM - 8:05 AM and 3 PM - 6 PM

Secondary (6-12) After School Care: 3:30 PM - 6 PM

STEM School Highlands Ranch
www.stemk12.org | info@stemk12.org | 303.683.STEM (7836)
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